Pair quizzed over savage Lifford attack released by PSNI

Two men arrested in connection with an assault that left a Lifford man in a fight for his life have been bailed

The pair were arrested in Derry on Tuesday night and questioned over charges of attempted murder, aggravated burglary and false imprisonment.

After being quizzed by detectives from the Police Service of Northern Ireland’s Serious Crime Branch, they have now been “bailed pending further enquiries”.

At Derry Magistrates Court on Thursday morning, Judge Barney McElholm granted an application for a 36-hour extension to their detention.

A major cross-border manhunt was launched on Monday as authorities on both sides of the border sought information on the masked gang.

Charles Dooher, a 26-year-old, was brutally beaten in his home on the Conneyburrow Road, on the N15 road, on Monday morning and underwent emergency surgery after being airlifted to the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast.

His father, Charles Dooher senior, who is in his 60s, also received injuries in the attack and received treatment in Letterkenny University Hospital.

Detectives on both sides of the border pooled resources and officers swopped to lift two men in Derry at around midnight on Tuesday.

A Detective Sergeant from the PSNI told Judge McElholm on Thursday that there were forensics, CCTV and crime scene evidence and that it was a joint investigation involving both the PSNI and the Gardai.

Gardaí issued an appeal for any witnesses to the incident or anyone with any information to come forward.

A spokesperson said: “Any persons who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) from Coneyburrow Road, Lifford, between 10am and 11am, are asked to make this footage available to investigating Gardaí.

“Anyone with any information is asked to contact Letterkenny Garda Station on 074 9167100, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800 666 111, or any Garda Station.”